France coach Didier Deschamps expressed his belief that Spain is the favorite to win the FIFA World Cup ahead of their upcoming semifinal clash. Deschamps praised Spain’s performance, highlighting their strong defensive record and attacking prowess in recent matches.
Deschamps provided updates on his team, confirming that captain Kylian Mbappé, who suffered an ankle injury in the quarterfinals, trained and is available. He also mentioned the return of midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who missed the previous games due to injury.
Reflecting on past defeats to Spain, Deschamps dismissed the idea that history would impact the upcoming match, emphasizing the evolution of both teams since their previous encounters. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente acknowledged the strength of the current French team, noting the maturity of players like Mbappé.
De la Fuente responded to Deschamps’ suggestion that Spain is the tournament favorite by emphasizing that external expectations do not affect his team. He expressed confidence in Spain’s preparation and highlighted the familiarity between the two teams, emphasizing the importance of individual duels and maintaining their style of play.
On the eve of his 19th birthday, Spain winger Lamine Yamal expressed the significance of the upcoming semifinal, hoping for a victory as the best birthday gift. De la Fuente encouraged Yamal to stay composed and enjoy the moment, emphasizing the young player’s potential impact on the match.
